Flexible expansion-coupling for rotary shafts



w. ROBERTSON.

FLEXIBLE EXPANSION COUPLING FOR ROTARY SHAFTS. 'APPLIIIATION FILED JUNE 3. 1919.v

3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

W. ROBERTSON.

FLEXIBLE EXPANSION COUPLING FOR ROTARY SHAFTS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3. 1919.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

APPLICATION FILED 1UNE3, I959.

Patented N (W. 9, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES A PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM ROBERT-SON, or GLASGOW, SCOTLAND, nssrsn'on or" ONE-HALF TO THE FAIRFIELD SHIPBUILDING -& ENGINEERING GLASGOW; SCOTLAND.

COMPANY, LIMITED, or eovm,

v FLEXIBLE EXPANSION-COUPLING ron ROTARY SHAFTS.

To all whom it may concern." I X Be it'known' that I, WILLIAM ROBERTSON,

-of 233 Langlands Road, Govan, Glasgow,

Scotland, a subject of the King of Great Britain, have invented a certain new and pansion-coupling between the rotor shaft and the gear pinion shaft and the object of the present invention is to provide such a coupling. The coupling although specially applicable for geared turbines can be used generally in connection with shafting which is out of alinement.

' Under this invention the required 'flexibility is obtained by a universal movement due to the co-action of a part spherical boss.

, or collar with socket keys therein and fulcrum blocks within which pins on the socket pins can pivot. There are two joints one on the driving and the other on the driven shaft and thefulcrum blocks of both are so fitted to aninclosing sleeve coupling as to allow freedom of longitudinal movement due to expansion and contraction.

In order that the invention may be clearly. understood I have hereunto appended explanatory drawings showing, by way of example, one mode of carrying the same into effect or, practice.

' longitudinally in the surface of this spherosegmental boss and with corresponding curvature longitudlnally are two key ways c, d. these being; made at diametrically, op

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 9, 1920.

Application fiIefl June-3, 1919. Serial li'o. 301,515.

posite parts-and being parallel to each other. Fitted, with a working fit, into each key'way is 'a socket key 6 whose internal curvature corresponds to the curvature of the key way and each socket key has a radially projecting pin 7. The exterior surface of each key is spherically curved, I the curvature corresponding to the curvature of the boss and,

when the .key is dropped into place,it lies flush with the surface of the boss but with the pin projecting outward. Fitted over each socket key is a fulcrum block 9 having a holeh to fit over the socket pin and these blocks, which are disposed circumferem tially; are curved internally to the curvature of the boss and to the external curvature of the socket keys so that theboss and keys may work freely therein. but externally are curved concentrically with the shaft and to fit in the cylindrical sleeve 2', 2'

The joint on the driven shaft (1 has its parts exactly similar. the parts being marked with the same letters.

The cylindrical sleeve which is made in two parts i. i is slid over the fulcrum blocks 9 and bolted together. Each part has a shoulder iv to restrict axial movement of the .natively. the parallel keys may be formed solid with the sleeve.

Although I have referred to two socket keys with their radial pins for each joint it is obvious there may be more than two employed. the parts being made accordingly.

The drive passes from the driving shaft a. through boss Z). socket pins? and fulcrum blocks (7 of the one join to the sleeve 2' and thence by fulcrum blocks 'g. socket pins f it can be cheaply made and easily fitted togetherv and that the socket keys and fulcrum blocks can be easily removed and renewed if necessary.

In action, the bosses move within the socket keys whose pins can pivot in the fulcrum blocks which latter can slide in the outer sleeve.

Having now fully described 'my' invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is':-

1. A flexible expansion coupling for roshaft, both joints being inclosed within a sleeve and each joint comprising a boss with key ways therein, socket keys fitted in sa1d key ways, a pin on each socket key and fulcrnm blocks engaging said pins and permitting pivotal action thereof, the said fulcrum blocks being slidable rectilinearly in but turnably connected with said sleeve and means for guiding said fulcrum blocks. I

3. A flexible expansion coupling for rotary shafts comprisingtwo joints, one for the driving shaft and one for the driven shaft, both joints being inclosed within a cylindrical sleeve and each jointcomprising an'exte'rnally curved boss with key ays therein, socketkeys fitted in said key ways,

said socket keys being curved internally and externally, a radial pm on each socket key and fulcrum blocks with holes the-rein engaging said pins said fulcrum blocks being curved internally to conform to the curvature of the boss and externally to conform to the internal curvature of the cylindrical sleeve and means for holding said fulcrum blocks in position in the sleeve in such manner that they can slide rectilinearly within the sleeve. I

4. A flexible expansion coupling for retary shafts comprising two oints, one for the driving shaft and one for the-driven shaft, both joints being inclosed within a cylindrical sleeve and each joint comprising an externally curved boss with key ways therein, socket keys fitted in said key ways, said socket keys being curved internally and. externally, a radial pin on each socket key and fulcrum blocks with holes therein e11- gaging said pins said fulc rum blocks being curved internally to conform to the curvature of the boss and externally to conform to the internal curvature of the sleeve and parallel keys fitted in the sleeve and so holding said fulcrum blocks in position that they can slide axially while rotating with the sleeve. 1

5. A flexible expansion coupling for totary shafts comprising a cylindrical sleeve made in two portions bolted together each portion having a cylindrical inner surface' with internal shoulder, two joints, one for the driving shaft and one for the driven shaft, both joints being inclosed within and connected with the coupling sleeve while allowing of axial extension of the shafts and each joint comprising co-acting spherically curved boss, socket keys vand rectilinearlyslidable fulcrum blocks within which latter,

pins, on the socket keys, can pivot.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature 111 presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM ROBERTSON.

Witnesses:

JOHN STOTT,

JAs. CowAN DUNLOP. 

